I received an electronic copy Eldredge Books through NetGalley.
A read together book for families to talk about social distancing and why it's important. Simple text and illustrations provide basic information at a level elementary students will understand. The book begins with actions everyone was already doing and moves on to why people are more aware of their actions and doing more to stay separated.

The sentiment of this short children's book is great - trying to explain a little about the Coronavirus and social distancing. I really liked the fact it was quite simple and designed to elicit interaction from the child, by asking them questions about what they are thinking and feeling about the situation. What let's it down for me is the illustrations. While colourful and obviously designed with children in mind (I do like the block coloured pages), some of the drawings are a little haphazard and mildly confusing (not sure a child would get what the man is going with the groceries at the door) and I'm not sure they are interesting enough to a child to make them want to repeatedly look at this book.

This book provides a very simple and engaging look at what is going on in our world with Covid-19. The colorful pages and great illustrations help to keep young children engaged. The simple language and the relatable feelings and issues addressed help to give kids a guide for talking about what they are experiencing. The ending pages with the bright outlook and the kids hugging leaves the reader feeling positive even in an uncertain time. Nicely done!

This is a great, easy-to-understand book that addresses the current pandemic. Although I know that this book is geared toward children, I know of quite a few adults who could use the information in this book.

The book poses questions for children regarding feeling and fears experienced during the Covid pandemic allowing adults to better understand And address their specific concerns.

Thank you so much for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book has good ideas and is a good starting point for discussions around COVID 19 and the precautions one should take to remain healthy and keep others healthy. I liked the open ended questions and the brief description of social distancing. Some things I would have liked discuss was the reasons and importance of wearing a mask, more details and explanation of social distancing for kids and what that looks like (besides just keeping a big space ), washing hands, covering your mouth as well as your nose when you sneeze and cough.

We are all living a nightmare these days. It is nice to find a book explains why and how to do children since they don't know or understand. This book is nicely thought. It explains we should take on some precautions.

It covers the situation by colourful and sincere illustrations but the text is very plain. Also the text induced pages look like a news article. I am well aware that the situation is dire. However, this is a children's book and didactic approach is better be diminished for them to be interested and learn and apply.

Nevertheless, this book will give the idea to children and I appreciate this very much.

*Read Now title on NetGalley*

"What's All the Commotion?" is a good picture to help parents, guardians, and educators have an open discussion about covid-19 and the drastic life changes that have occurred.

It's a very matter-of-fact book and simplistic with text and full color on one page and a beautiful, full color illustration on the other. The facts and information presented in this book is clear, concise and accessible.

I liked the tone of the story. It was inviting and welcoming, encouraging kids that it's okay to have questions about what's been happening and any fears or anxiety they've been having as a result of this virus.

"What's All the Commotion?" is worth the read and free on Kindle Unlimited.

This timely book is a gem. The book is an excellent conversation starter, as children are hearing and feeling so many things and it is often difficult for them to verbalize. It is also difficult to simply explain to young children about the pandemic and the why behind what we all need to do to be responsible. This book does it. It would also be good for social stories. Facts are told in simple words and simple, wonderful illustrations.

Very simple conversation starter book for younger elementary kids. The illustrations are a little lacking but the intent of the text is very good. I think this would make a good first day/week of school text to help students open up about their emotions during this troubling time.

A timely picture book that may be a useful resource for some young children struggling to understand the changes in their environment due to COVID-19, or other contagious illnesses.

What's All The Commotion? This book answers questions little ones may have about COVID and offers reassurance with comforting words and fun illustrations.
Jessie Glenn outlines how to navigate the pandemic for young readers, including talking about hygiene and social distancing in ways that kids can understand.
Many thanks to Eldredge Books and NetGalley for the advance copy.

The storytelling can be better.

The art can be better too.

But yes, it serves its purpose.

Thank you #NetGalley for the copy.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* Liked how this asks questions and is an overall pretty good guide book to help with like having a conversation about things.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

I liked this one a lot. It's very timely and provides a structure and groundwork to talk to kids about the virus. I appreciated the interactive elements that will make it easier for kids to talk about their feelings around everything going on. I especially appreciate that when discussing social distancing, they used "people who don't live with you" instead of how a lot of people are discussing it as "family" since that's not the most accurate term. I also liked that they mentioned how kids might perceive their family's reactions and that even grown ups don't always like change!

Overall, this is super timely, age appropriate, and sets up for good conversations with parents. I'd recommend this for kids and everyone else right now.

What's All The Commotion? by Jessie Glenn is a great conversation starter for small children that are struggling to understand why things are the way they are right now during the pandemic shutdowns. If you are struggling with how to explain the circumstances, then this may be the way to go for you. The book includes awesome inclusive illustrations that will aid in the conversation as well. Glenn breaks down the details of the current happenings into a couple, easy to understand sentences that can lead your child to more questions to facilitate the conversation even more.

While I might recommend this book to a parent who doesn't know where to start explaining COVID-19 to a child, it is not one I will purchase for my library's collection. I think there are better sources. I had a hard time figuring out what age is being targeted; the concepts were preschool appropriate but the language read more 3rd grade. I didn't love the pictures, and while they did go rather well with the text, the artwork itself left something to be desired.

Helpful for Explaining Disease and Social Distancing

If you have or know of a child to who doesn't quite understand what “all the commotion” around the pandemic is about and the importance of social distancing and other protective measures, this book opens a dialog directly by having questions written in the text that the adult or caregiver reading it to the child can ask as well as gives the reasons for social distancing and other things we’re doing now. Especially at the beginning of the book, the author asks direct questions to the reader so that the adult can fill in needed information or better understand what the child is thinking about different aspects of this, like asking the child if they know how germs spread or what precisely they have heard about what's going on. In the dedication, the author implies that this was written for two children who asked what the commotion was all about; I love that this book is inspired by real children. But I think my favorite question was when the child is asked to say if there is any person who she or he is concerned about at this time because of the coronavirus. That's a superb way to shed light on any personal fears a child may not have yet vocalized. Later in the book, the author discusses the need for social distancing and how to do it, explaining that it is difficult to be separated from those that are normally a part of your life. The author further explains that the child may see adults do unexpected things to help keep the family and those around them safe. The author ends on a hopeful note stating that, essentially, this too shall pass. The illustrations are vivid, colorful, yet simple, depicting an inclusive range of races. If you’ve had trouble explaining all that is going on and our need to do things that are sometimes difficult and strange, this book is a direct way to start that important conversation. Highly recommended.

4.0 out of 5.0 stars

I think the premise of this book is timely and important for kids in this time. The world is pretty crazy right now and this book does a good job of helping to explain what's happening to children. The illustration are cute and it touches on most of the topics of why social distancing is so important. Enough that most parents could probably take it from there with this as a baseline for the conversation. I couldn't quite peg the age range for this. I would think very young readers, but it tripped me up that there were some words like contagious that I don't think those readers would understand and weren't defined. It was also a little vague at times (I'm assuming in thinking parent would lead the conversation. I do think it would have benefited from touching on people wearing masks and why that is an important part of social distancing as well.

What’s All the Commotion? is the perfect conversation starter for little ones in the age of covid. The illustrations were lovely and diverse and the message was on point. I LOVED that they asked questions throughout, especially asking “is there anyone you are worried about right now?” I’m definitely buying copies for the parents and teachers in my life. 👏🏼

Would love to see a follow up about why masks are important! This could be a whole series!!